Terminal block

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a terminal block for data and telecommunications systems, comprising at least one insulating body. At least one connecting element ( 8 ), designed to house a grounding clip ( 9 ), is configured on the underside of said body. According to the invention, the grounding clip ( 9 ) has a first detent geometry for connecting to the connecting element ( 8 ) and a second detent geometry for connecting to a mounting frame. The connecting element ( 8 ) has a geometry that is independent of the mounting frame, the first detent geometry of the grounding clip ( 9 ) is adapted to the geometry of the connecting element ( 8 ) and the second detent geometry is adapted to the mounting frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a terminal block for telecommunications anddata systems equipment according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A terminal block of this type is already known for example from DE 37 28368 C1. For latching the terminal block onto round profiled bars, theterminal block has on the underside of its insulating part arcuateconnecting elements which enclose the profiled bars by an angle of over180°. The inside diameter of the arcuate connecting elements correspondsto the outside diameter of the round profiled bars. On account of theterminal blocks, and in particular the lower part, being formed fromplastic, the side walls of the connecting elements are flexible, so thatthey can be pressed over the round profiled bar and latched onto it. Thearcuate connecting elements bear on the outer side rectangularwire-guiding saddles, which are slotted in the center. Extending throughthe arcuate connecting elements, parallel to the outer walls of theupper part, are through-slots, into which there can be inserted metallicground-contact saddles, which are clamped onto the round profiled barsat ground potential and onto which contact terminals of a surge arrestermounting unit, which can be inserted into the terminal block, can beclamped from above. The ground-contact saddles have in the lower regionthree arcuate saddles, the inner contour of which is made to match theround profiled bar. Formed onto one saddle of the ground-contact saddleis a contacting prong, which engages in an upwardly open chamber of theterminal block. The lower part of the terminal block also has on theouter side of the arcuate connecting elements insertion slots which areused for prizing the terminal block out of the position in which it islatched with a round profiled bar using a screwdriver.

A terminal block with two terminal strips angled away from one anotherand a shielding device is known from DE 100 01 553 A1. Each terminalstrip comprises 24 insulation-displacement contact elements, therespectively opposing insulation-displacement contact elements of thetwo terminal strips being electrically connected to one another. Theinsulation-displacement contact elements are arranged in an insulator,on the underside of which half-shell-shaped fastening elements arearranged, by means of which the terminal block can be pushed or latchedonto a profiled bar. Groups of three neighboring insulation-displacementcontact elements serve for the wiring of a twin conductor withshielding. The upper terminal strip in this case forms the switchingside, and the terminal strip aligned vertically in relation to saidupper terminal strip forms the cable-conductor side. The shieldingdevice comprises a shielding plate, a web arranged perpendicularly inrelation to the shielding plate and a row of contact fingers. On theshielding plate, T-shaped webs are provided on its underside and furtherT-shaped [lacuna] are provided centrally. Furthermore, the shieldingplate has two screw-contact elements. The web projects perpendicularlyfrom the upper side of the shielding plate, the row of contact fingersagain being formed perpendicularly in relation to the web. As a result,the contact fingers form a plane parallel to the shielding plate. Theshielding plate, the web and the row of contact fingers are in this casepreferably formed in one piece. For connecting a cable with eight twinconductors and shielding, the cable is initially fastened to theT-shaped webs by means of cable ties. The shielding is twisted and ismechanically and electrically connected to the shielding plate by meansof one of the screw-contact elements. Then, in the mounted state, theshielding plate is electrically connected to the profiled bars by meansof a connection not described in any more detail and is grounded bymeans of said profiled bars. The insulation-displacement contactelements assigned to the shielding are connected by means of the contactfingers to the shielding plate and consequently to ground.

A terminal block for latching onto a mounting bracket is known from DE196 52 422 C1, a connecting element corresponding to the mountingbracket being arranged on the underside. The connecting element in eachcase comprises two essentially parallel side walls, on which latchingprojections are arranged, so that, during latching onto the mountingbracket, said latching projections press against said mounting bracketand latch the terminal block. A ground connection between the terminalblock and the mounting bracket via this connecting element is notenvisaged.

On account of the increasing requirements with regard to transmissionspeed, terminal blocks with shielding contacting, as described forexample in DE 100 01 553 A1, are being used increasingly. On the otherhand, the terminal blocks are to be as flexible as possible in their usefor the different types of mounting locations, such as for example roundprofiled bars or mounting brackets, so that a ground connection tomounting brackets is also made possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the technical problem of providing aterminal block by means of which a ground connection to various mountinglocations can be flexibly realized.

The solution to the technical problem is provided by the subject matterwith the features of patent claim 1. Further advantageous configurationsof the invention emerge from the subclaims.

For this purpose, the connecting element has a geometry independent ofthe mounting rack, the first latching geometry of the grounding clipbeing adapted to the geometry of the connecting element and the secondlatching geometry being adapted to the mounting rack. This achieves theeffect that the same terminal block can be used for fastening ondifferent mounting racks, the adaptation being performed just by the useof different grounding clips, the first latching geometry of which, forthe connection to the connecting element, is the same. By simplyexchanging the grounding clips, a terminal block previously latched ontoa round profiled bar can be mounted onto a mounting bracket, and viceversa. A possibly desired ground connection of a surge arrester mountingunit remains completely unchanged in this case, since this takes placeby means of the first latching geometry of the grounding clip, whichalways remains the same.

In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element is formed byessentially parallel side walls, on the longitudinal edges of whichguiding edges are arranged, along which the grounding clip can be pushedwith its first latching geometry onto the connecting element. In acorresponding way, the grounding clip comprises four essentiallyparallel guiding edges, which correspond to the guiding edges of theconnecting element, latching lugs which snap into corresponding latchingopenings on the guiding edges of the connecting element being arrangedon the guiding edges of the grounding clip. The advantage is the verysimple geometry, which makes a very firm connection possible between theconnecting element and the grounding clip.

In a further preferred embodiment, the grounding clip is formed with afork contact, via which a simple electrical connection to a shieldingplate can be established. The fork contact is preferably arrangedbetween two guiding edges.

The grounding clip for fastening on a mounting bracket has on its secondlatching geometry at least one latching slot, into which a springbracket partially protrudes. During latching on, the edge of themounting bracket then presses the spring bracket to the side. The springbracket then engages in an opening in the mounting bracket andestablishes a good mechanical connection with the mounting bracket.

In a further preferred embodiment, an unlocking eyelet is arranged onthe spring bracket, by means of which the spring bracket can be bentaway out of the latching slot, so that the latched-on terminal block canbe removed again from the mounting trough.

The unlocking eyelet is preferably formed as a clearance cut out fromthe spring bracket.

In a further preferred embodiment, the unlocking eyelet is arrangedvirtually at right angles in relation to the spring bracket.

In a further preferred embodiment, the unlocking eyelet is aligned inrelation to the respectively neighboring end side of the terminal block,so that it is easily accessible from the outside by means of animplement.

In a further preferred embodiment, the grounding clip comprises two sidewalls, which are respectively formed with a latching slot, the two sidewalls being connected to one another by a web and there being formed onthe web a U-shaped saddle, which is bent between the side walls and thetwo legs of which protrude as a spring bracket into the initial regionof the latching slots. The use of two latching slots improves themechanical strength of the connection, the fastening operation beingsynchronized on account of the connection of the two legs.

For fastening on a round profiled bar, the second latching geometry ofthe grounding clip is formed essentially in a semicircular manner. Inthis case, three bearing points are arranged on the inner sides of thesemicircular latching geometry, directed toward the profiled bar, sothat a mechanical and electrically secure connection with the roundprofiled bar is obtained.

The two described embodiments of the grounding clips may also be mergedinto a single grounding clip, so that universal mounting can be realizedon the various mounting racks with a single grounding clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of apreferred exemplary embodiment. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a terminal block with agrounding clip for a mounting bracket;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective rear view of the terminal block according toFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective side view of the grounding clip for amounting bracket;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective front view of the grounding clip according toFIG. 3 and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of a grounding clip for roundprofiled bars.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a terminal block 1 is represented in a perspective frontview. The terminal block 1 comprises two terminal strips 2, 3, which arearranged at an angle of 90° in relation to one another. The insulator ofthe terminal block 1 is divided into two and has an upper part 4 and alower part 5, which after fitting with insulation-displacement contactelements 6 are latched to one another. On the lower part 5, wire-guidingsaddles 7 are respectively arranged on the end sides of the terminalblock 1. Arranged on the underside of the lower part 5 are twoconnecting elements 8. The connecting elements 8 serve for receiving agrounding clip 9 each, and for fastening a shielding plate 10. Theconnecting element 8 comprises two parallel side walls 11, on thelongitudinal sides of which guiding edges 12 are respectively arranged.The side walls 11 or the guiding edges 12 are formed with latchingopenings 13.

The grounding clip 9 has essentially a U shape and is formed in onepiece. The longitudinal sides of the two side walls 14 form guidingedges 15, on which a latching lug 16 is respectively arranged. The twoside walls 14 are respectively formed with a latching slot 17. Alsoarranged centrally on the one side wall 14 is a fork contact 18.Arranged on the web 19 connecting the side walls 14 is a saddle 20,which is bent between the side walls and is formed in a U-shaped mannerin the upper region. The two legs 21 of the U-shaped saddle 20 in thiscase protrude slightly obliquely into the initial region of the latchingslot 17 and act like two spring brackets. Lying between the two legs 21is an unlocking eyelet 22, which is cut out from the two legs 21 and isbent at right angles in relation to the legs 21 toward the end side ofthe terminal block 1. For fastening, the grounding clip 9 is pushed withits guiding edges 15 along the guiding edges 12 of the connectingelement 8, until the latching lugs 16 of the grounding clip 9 engage inthe latching openings 13 of the connecting element 8. As this happens,the fork contact 18 contacts a contact web 23 of the shielding plate 10,which is represented in FIG. 2. The guiding edges 15 of the side wall 14with the fork contact 18 are formed such that they are slightly longerthan the opposite guiding edges 15, so that, after latching on, thefront regions rest on a bearing surface 24 of the connecting element 8and lend the connection greater stability.

The shielding plate 10 is formed with contact fingers 25, which areconnected to every third insulation-displacement contact element 6 ofthe terminal strip 3, which is represented in FIG. 1.

On account of the electrical connection of the respectively opposinginsulation-displacement contact elements 6 of the two terminal strips 2,3, consequently every third insulation-displacement contact element 6 ofthe terminal strip 2 is also connected to the shielding plate 10.

If the terminal block 1 with the latched grounding clip 9 is thenlatched onto a mounting bracket (not represented), the edge of themounting bracket presses the legs 21 aside and can penetrate into thelatching slot 17, the legs 21 engaging resiliently in openings in theedge of the mounting bracket. This brings about a mechanical connectionbetween the mounting bracket and the grounding clips 9. Then, theshielding plate 10 is connected to the ground potential of the mountingbracket via the grounding clips 9. For releasing the latched-on terminalblock 1, the unlocking eyelet 22 is pressed downward with an implement,so that the legs 21 are pressed to the side and the terminal block 1 canbe pulled down.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the grounding clip 9 is represented on its own. As canbe seen, the respective leg 21 lies in front of the latching slot 17 andis pressed by the edge of a mounting bracket in the direction of theedge 26. The edge 26 acts in this case at the same time as a stop edgefor the legs 21. The edge 26 is in this case set back slightly withrespect to the latching slot 17, so that, when the leg 21 is bearingagainst the edge 26, the latching slot 17 is completely exposed. Thishappens for example when the unlocking eyelet 22 is pressed downward.For easier insertion, the one inner edge 27 of the latching slot 17 hasin the front region a bevel and a slight curvature 28, the curvature 28establishing the electrical contact with the mounting bracket.

In FIG. 5, a further grounding clip 9 for latching onto a round profiledbar is represented, the same elements being provided with the samedesignations as the grounding clip according to FIGS. 3 and 4. Withregard to the formation of the connecting element of the terminal block,reference can be made to the comments on FIGS. 1 and 2 in theirentirety. The grounding clip 9 again comprises two side walls 14, whichare connected to one another by two webs 19. The longitudinal sides ofthe two side walls 14 form guiding edges 15 and are formed with latchinglugs 16.

The two side walls 14 have in the front region respectively semicircularcutouts, the diameter of which is adapted to the diameter of the roundprofiled bar. The upper side wall 14 is slightly longer and has in therear region a rectangular cutout, into which the fork contact 18protrudes. Three bearing points 30 are arranged in each case on theinner side 29 of the semicircular cutouts of each side wall 14. In thiscase, the three bearing points 30 are respectively offset by about 90°in relation to one another. In this case, the two centrally arrangedbearing points 30 are of a cuboidal form and the other bearing points 30are of a curved form. This results in a good mechanical and electricalthree-point bearing.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

-   1) Terminal block-   2) Terminal strip-   3) Terminal strip-   4) Upper part-   5) Lower part-   6) Insulation-displacement contact elements-   7) Wire-guiding saddles-   8) Connecting element-   9) Grounding clip-   10) Shielding plate-   11) Side wall-   12) Guiding edge-   13) Latching opening-   14) Side wall-   15) Guiding edge-   16) Latching lug-   17) Latching slot-   18) Fork contact-   19) Web-   20) Saddle-   21) Leg-   22) Unlocking eyelet-   23) Contact web-   24) Bearing surface-   25) Contact finger-   26) Edge-   27) Inner edge-   28) Curvature-   29) Inner side-   30) Bearing points

1. A terminal block for telecommunications and data systems equipment,comprising: at least one insulator; a connecting element disposedproximate an underside of said insulator; a grounding clip, saidgrounding clip including a first geometry for connecting to saidconnecting element and a second geometry for connecting to a mountingrack; and wherein said connecting element has a geometry independent ofthe mounting rack, said first geometry adapting to said connectingelement and said second geometry adapting to the mounting rack, theconnecting element including two generally parallel side walls, thesidewalls of the connecting element defining guiding grooves forreceiving the ground clip, the sidewalls of the connecting elementdefining latching slots within the guiding grooves, the ground clipincluding two generally parallel side walls defining guiding edges and alatching lug disposed on each of the guiding edges, the guiding edgesconfigured to slide within the guiding grooves of the connecting elementand the latching lugs configured to latch into the latching slots of theconnecting element.
 2. The terminal block as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid grounding clip includes a fork contact.
 3. The terminal block asrecited in claim 2, wherein said fork contact is disposed between theguiding edges.
 4. The terminal block as recited in claim 1, wherein saidsecond geometry of said grounding clip includes at least one latchingslot into which a spring bracket at least partially protrudes.
 5. Theterminal block as recited in claim 4, wherein said spring bracketincludes an unlocking eyelet.
 6. The terminal block as recited in claim5, wherein said unlocking eyelet is forming a clearance cut out fromsaid spring bracket.
 7. The terminal block as recited in claim 5,wherein said unlocking eyelet is disposed at a generally right angle tosaid spring bracket.
 8. The terminal block as recited in claim 1,wherein said grounding clip includes two side walls arranged on a web,each of said sidewalls of the grounding clip includes a latching slot.9. The terminal block as recited in claim 8, wherein said grounding clipincludes a U-shaped saddle disposed between said sidewalls including atleast two legs protruding as spring brackets into an initial region ofsaid latching slot.
 10. The terminal block as recited in claim 1,wherein said second geometry of said grounding clip is generallysemicircular.
 11. The terminal block as recited in claim 10, whereinsaid second geometry includes at least one bearing point disposed on aninner side in a general direction of a profiled bar.
 12. A groundingclip for use in a terminal block for telecommunications and data systemsequipment, comprising: a first geometry for connecting to a connectingelement and a second geometry for connecting to a mounting rack; andwherein said grounding clip has a geometry independent of the mountingrack, said first geometry adapting to said connecting element and saidsecond geometry adapting to said mounting rack, wherein said secondgeometry includes at least one latching slot into which a spring bracketat least partially protrudes.
 13. The grounding clip as recited in claim12, wherein the grounding clip includes a fork contact.
 14. Thegrounding clip as recited in claim 13, wherein said fork contact isdisposed between two guiding edges.
 15. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 12, wherein said spring bracket includes an unlocking eyelet. 16.The grounding clip as recited in claim 15, wherein said unlocking eyeletforms a clearance cut out from said spring bracket.
 17. The groundingclip as recited in claim 15, wherein said unlocking eyelet is disposedat a generally right angle to said spring bracket.
 18. The groundingclip as recited in claim 12, wherein the grounding clip includes twoside walls arranged on a web, each of said side walls having a latchingslot.
 19. The grounding clip as recited in claim 18, wherein thegrounding clip includes a U-shaped saddle disposed between saidsidewalls including at least two legs protruding as spring brackets intoan initial region of said latching slot.
 20. A terminal block fortelecommunications and data systems equipment, comprising: at least oneinsulator; a connecting element disposed proximate an underside of saidinsulator; a grounding clip, said grounding clip including a firstgeometry for connecting to said connecting element and a second geometryfor connecting to a mounting rack; and wherein said connecting elementhas a geometry independent of the mounting rack, said first geometryadapting to said connecting element and said second geometry adapting tothe mounting rack, wherein said second geometry of said grounding clipincludes at least one latching slot into which a spring bracket at leastpartially protrudes.
 21. The terminal block as recited in claim 20,wherein said spring bracket includes an unlocking eyelet.
 22. Theterminal block as recited in claim 21, wherein said unlocking eyelet isforming a clearance cut out from said spring bracket.
 23. The terminalblock as recited in claim 21, wherein said unlocking eyelet is disposedat a generally right angle to said spring bracket.
 24. A terminal blockfor telecommunications and data systems equipment, comprising: at leastone insulator; a connecting element disposed proximate an underside ofsaid insulator; a grounding clip, said grounding clip including a firstgeometry for connecting to said connecting element and a second geometryfor connecting to a mounting rack; and wherein said connecting elementhas a geometry independent of the mounting rack, said first geometryadapting to said connecting element and said second geometry adapting tothe mounting rack, wherein said grounding clip includes two side wallsarranged on a web, each of said sidewalls includes a latching slot. 25.The terminal block as recited in claim 24, wherein said grounding clipincludes a U-shaped saddle disposed between said sidewalls including atleast two legs protruding as spring brackets into an initial region ofsaid latching slot.
 26. A grounding clip for use in a terminal block fortelecommunications and data systems equipment, comprising: a firstgeometry for connecting to a connecting element and a second geometryfor connecting to a mounting rack; and wherein said grounding clip has ageometry independent of the mounting rack, said first geometry adaptingto said connecting element and said second geometry adapting to saidmounting rack, wherein the grounding clip includes two side wallsarranged on a web, each of said side walls having a latching slot. 27.The grounding clip as recited in claim 26, wherein the grounding clipincludes a U-shaped saddle disposed between said sidewalls including atleast two legs protruding as spring brackets into an initial region ofsaid latching slot.
 28. A terminal block for telecommunications and datasystems equipment, comprising: at least one insulator; a grounding clipcoupled to the insulator, the grounding clip including a generallyU-shaped body including two legs connected together by a web, the twolegs defining generally parallel sidewalls, each sidewall defining acutout configured to receive a conductive mounting element and eachsidewall defining guiding edges; and a connecting element disposedbetween said insulator and said grounding clip, the connecting elementincluding two generally parallel side walls, the sidewalls of theconnecting element defining guiding grooves for receiving the guidingedges of the grounding clip.
 29. A terminal block according to claim 28,wherein the sidewalls of the connecting element define latching slotswithin the guiding grooves and the grounding clip includes a latchinglug disposed on each of the guiding edges, the latching lugs configuredto latch into the latching slots of the connecting element.
 30. Aterminal block according to claim 28, wherein the cutout of thegrounding clip includes a slot configured to receive a mounting bracket.31. A terminal block according to claim 28, wherein the cutout of thegrounding clip is generally semicircular configured to receive a roundprofiled bar.
 32. A terminal block according to claim 28, wherein thegrounding clip includes a fork contact disposed between the guidingedges.
 33. A terminal block according to claim 28, wherein the groundingclip includes a U-shaped saddle disposed between the sidewalls of thegrounding clip including at least two legs protruding as spring bracketsinto the cutout.
 34. A terminal block according to claim 33, whereinsaid spring bracket includes an unlocking eyelet for unlocking theconductive mounting element from the grounding clip.